Lust is often thought of as a negative emotion, one that leads to all types of promiscuous behavior. But, what does the Bible have to say about it? While the Bible does not explicitly say the word “lust”, it does offer insight into how to deal with the temptations that can come along with it, particularly when it comes to luring after one’s own wife.
The most important thing that the Scriptures say about lustful behavior with regards to one’s own wife is that there should be a mutual love and respect between the two parties. This is seen in Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 7:3-4, where he advises, “Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband; and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.” Paul’s instruction here reflects God’s plan for married couples to have a healthy relationship, rather than one filled with sinful behavior.
Another important piece of Scripture that speaks to luring after one’s own wife is Proverbs 5:15-19. In this passage, Solomon tells his readers to be cautious of their temptations and to keep their hearts and sexual desires in check. Specifically, he states, “Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well. Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets. Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee. Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.” This passage reflects God’s desire that a married couple be content with the relationship that they have and not seek sexual satisfaction from anywhere else.
Finally, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 offers an detailed explanation of what God requires of those who are looking to be sexually pure. In this passage, Paul instructs readers that they should “abstain from all appearance of evil”. This means that when looking to understand what is right or wrong when it comes to luring after one’s own wife, it is important to consider how it might appear to someone else. In other words, if something causes embarrassment or is offensive to others, it is likely not in accordance with God’s will.
God’s Vision for Marriage
When it comes to lustful thoughts, The Bible encourages couples to view their spouse in the same way that God views marriage. The Bible calls marriage a covenant and it is intended to be one of unity and mutual love. This can be seen in 1 Corinthians 7:1-2, where Paul emphasized that, “It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” This verse serves as a reminder of God’s vision for marriage, emphasizing that loving respect should exist between spouses.
It is important to note that a healthy marriage does not have to be one of never-ending passion for one another. Many couples go through phases of their relationship where they might feel less attracted to one another. This can be difficult to navigate, but by remembering the fact that each person is loved and cherished by God, couples can work to maintain a positive and respectful relationship.
Finally, when it comes to staying faithful to one’s own spouse, Proverbs 5:15-19 can serve as a helpful reminder of the merits of loving and committed relationships. This passage encourages readers to keep their love and desire for their spouse above all else and to be cautious of wandering thoughts and temptations.
Biblical Approach to Resisting Sinful Behavior
The Bible offers a very clear instruction for how believers should approach resisting temptation and resisting sin. In Matthew 5:27-28, Jesus says, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” This verse emphasizes the importance of keeping sinful desires in check and knowing that certain behaviors have the potential to lead a person down a dangerous path.
In the New Testament, believers are encouraged to “put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11). This armor consists of truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. Each of these components provides believers with a way of resisting temptation and remaining firm in their convictions.
Furthermore, James 4:7 encourages the idea of submitting to God and humbling ourselves before Him in order to resist temptation. This is done by recognizing our human frailty and leaning into the power and strength of God. This is a helpful reminder that, no matter how strong a desire might seem, if we rely on God, we can overcome any temptation that comes our way.
Relying on God for Strength
The Bible ultimately teaches that God can and will provide us with strength when it comes to avoiding sinful behavior like lusting after one’s own wife. In 1 Corinthians 10:13 Paul reassures believers that, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
These words serve as an assurance that God can and will provide us with a way out of temptation if we acknowledge our need for Him and look to Him for strength. This encourages us to remember that when looking to practice self-control, relying on God is the best solution.
In addition, 1 Corinthians 10:12-14 reminds readers of God’s power and that He can help us triumph over anything if we let Him. In this passage, Paul encourages readers to “take it to the Lord” and to use prayer to combat temptation and the sin of lust. This reinforces the idea that relying on God’s strength is essential when seeking to remain faithful to one’s spouse.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the Bible is clear that practicing self control and resisting lustful thoughts when it comes to luring after one’s own spouse is essential. It is critical that believers remember that God has an everlasting love and respect for marriage and that this must be reflected in our relationships. Furthermore, the Scriptures remind readers that nothing is too difficult for God and that He can provide us with strength and a way out of temptation if we lean on Him and humbly submit ourselves to His will.
